End closures for liquid container



Aug. 12, 1969 N. .1. AsMAN END CLOSURES FOR LIQUID CONTAINER s sneets-shet 1 Filed arch 11. 1968 www Q@ mw m x l. 1 l .M A ma mh um, vnm QN xm? mm m wx NJW mm N N N. www M uw ww Nw m W s} w ww M L J/ww imm S m l/ w QN w 3S l@ .Q wm wm NQ .m mw I www \v/ mw wm www. m m7 X @m vm r i Xx ww m [illu SN A@ Smm y ATTORNEY Aug. 12, 1969 N. J. ASMAN 3,460,739

END CLOSURES FOR LIQUID CONTAINER 'med Maron 11,' 196e 9 s sheets-sheet a INVENTOR.

RMAN JOHN ASMAN BY a M l/ /r ATTORNEY Aug. 12, 1969 N.J. ASMAN END CLOSURES IFOR LIQUID CONTAINER med march 11, 196e `3 Sheets-Sheet 5 F/afa INVENTOR.

HN 'ASMAN 0, f

N MAN J0 BY A.

ATTORNEY United safes Patent o U.S. Cl. 229-37 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A container made from sheet material such as thermoplastic coated paperboard includes a body portion and integral top and bottom closures for closing and sealing the container. Each of the top and bottom closures is provided with outer and inner end clos-ure panels. The inner end closure panels are connected along their side edges to the outer closure panels and include diagonal score lines so that the inner panels may be folded into a nested condition within the container and into underlying relationship with the outer closure panels when the carton end closures are formed. The diagonal score lines on the end closures are impressed from the inner surface of the container so that the score line will protrude from the outer surface of the container. These score lines give improved folding and sealing action to the container end closures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to paperboard containers having a thermoplastic protective coating such as polyethylene or wax and having a tubular body portion with integral top and bottom closure structures. Containers of this type are Widely used for packaging milk and fruit juices. Blanks for making these cartons are made and sold to dairies or other packers in the form of ilat side seamed blanks which are formed, filled and sealed on dairy equipment. Such dairy equipment operates at speeds up to 125 cartons per minute for quart or smaller size containers. Therefore the carton blanks must be made accurately to move smoothly through dairy machinery at such high speeds. Such accuracy is especially important for proper formation of the container closures, particularly the container bottom closure to prevent leakage of the container contents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a container having a tubular body portion includes integral top and bottom closure panels. The tubular body has an integral bottom closure including outer panels hingedly connected to alternate container body panels. A pair of nestable inner closure panels are hingedly connected to the remaining alternate body Wall panels. The inner panels are also hingedly connected by their side edges to the adjacent outer closure panels. Diagonal score lines are impressed onto each of the inner panels so that these panels may be folded into a nested condition within the interior of the carton. To promote the liquid-tight integrity of the bottom closure, the free edges of the inner panels should come together in an abutting relationship. In so doing, these edges reduce the tendency of liquid to leak through the bottom closure.

According to the present invention, the diagonal score lines in the inner panels are impressed from the inside surface of the container blank so to provide a protuberance on the exterior surface of the container. By scoring the inner panels in this manner, the free edges of opposed inner nestable panels come to an edge-to-edge abutting relationship with improved accuracy to promote the Patented Aug. 12, 1969 liquid-tight integrity of the bottom closure of the container.

The top closure of the container includes two outer panels which are hingedly connected to alternate body wall panels. A pair of infolded panels are connected to the remaining alternate body wall panels and cooperate with the outer panels to form a top closure for the container. The infolded panels include diagonal scores for folding these panels in under the outer closure panels. Suitable means cooperating with the outer and inner closure panels may be provided for sealing the top closure.

According to the present invention the diagonal score lines in the top closure infolded panels are impressed from the inner surface of the carton to provide improved machinability of the container top closure. By scoring the top diagonal scores in this manner, the folding action of the top closure is improved. Moreover, in some embodiments of the present invention, it has been found possible to use a lower density paperboard because of this scoring arrangement in the top closure.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The objects of the present invention are to provide an improved container with end closures having diagonal score lines impressed from the inside surface of the container in both the top and bottom closures so to improve the machinability of the carton and to improve the liquidtight integrity of the bottom closure.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent upon an understanding of `the illustrative embodiment about to be described, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a container blank constructed according to the present invention;

FIGURES 2 through 5 are section views taken respectively along lines 2 2, 3-3 and 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a container partially formed from the blank of FIGURE l;

FIGURES 6 and 7 are sequential views illustrating the formation of the bottom closure of the container of FIGURE 4;

FIGURES 8 and 9 are sequential views illustrating the formation of the top closure of the container of FIG- URE 4.

Referring to the drawing, FIGURE l illustrates a contaner blank 2 according to the present invention. The container blank is preferably constructed from polyethylene coated paper board and includes a body portion 4, a bottom closure 5 and a top closure 6. The body portion includes generally rectangular body panels 8, 10, 12 and 14 connected to each other by mutually parallel score lines 16, 18 and 20. For convenience, the body panels may be referred to as side panels and front and rear panels. A glue flap 22 connected to the blank by score line 24 provides for joining end edges 26 and 28 of the container body together to form a tubular container.

The container blank includes a series of bottom closure panels 30, 32, 34 and 36 for closing and sealing the bottom end of the container. The bottom closure 5 includes outer panels 30 and 34 connected by score lines 38 and 42 to the side body panels 8 and 12, and inner panels 32 and 36 connected by score lines 40 and 44 to the body front and rear panels 10 and 14. If desired, score lines 40 and 44 may be olfset with respect to score lines 38 and 42 so to accommodate the folding of the inner panels 32 and 36 within the end closure.

Each of the inner panels 32 and 36 includes a pair of diagonal score lines 46 and 48 so that each inner panel may be folded in forming the bottom closure 5. The diagonal score lines 46 and 48 divide inner panels 32 and 36 into a triangular inner panel 50 and 52, and a pair of triangular web panels 54, 56, 58 and 60. Each triangular web 54-60 has a free edge 62-68. Edges 62 and 64 and edges 66 and 68 abut each other when the bottom closure is formed. This edge-to-edge abutment serves to minimize leakage past these edges of the bottom closure.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the construction of score line 46 and is representative of the construction of each score line 46 and 48. The diagonal score lines 46 and 48 are impressed at 69 from the inside surface 70 to the outside surface 71 of the container blank. The score line 46 protrudes from the exterior surface of the carton as shown at 72 in FIG. 2 and is represented by parallel lines in FIG. l. By making the score lines in this manner the edges 62, 64 and 66, 68 of the triangular web panels come together in abutting relationship with improved accur-acy to reduce leakage of liquid contents past the bottorn closure. Each of the inner panels 32 and 36 are connected by score line extensions 16a, 18a, 20a and 24a to respective adjacent outer panels 30 and 34 and glue ap 22.

The container blank also includes a top closure 6 for closing and sealing the container top. Moreover, the top closure also includes a pouring spout 73 for dispensing the container contents. The top closure includes outer panels 74 and 76 and inner panels 78 and 80 connected by score lines 82, 84, 86 and 88 to the respective body wall panels 8, 10, 12 and 14. In addition, the top closure panels are connected along adjacent edges by score line extensions 16b, 18h, 2012 and 24h. The inner panel 78 provides a pour spout 73 for the container and includes pouring lip panels 73a and 73b as is well-known in the art. A pair of sealing ribs 90 and 92 atop the outer panels provides for sealing the top closure of the container. A sealing rib 94 atop inner panel 80 also provides for sealing the top closure.

Each of the top inner panels 78 and 80 is provided with a pair of diagonal score lines 96 and 98 dividing each inner panel into a triangular infolded panel 100 and 102 and a pair of triangular web panels 104, 106, 108 and 110. To promote accuracy of the folding action of these inner panels, each of these diagonal score lines is impressed into the container from the interior surface as best shown in FIGURE 3. These score lines are defined by double lines to represent the protrusion 111 which occurs to the exterior of the container surface when score line 96 is impressed as at 112 from the inner container surface 70. Other score lines 16, 18, 20, 24, etc. on the container are impressed from the outside surface 71 to give the desired folding action as shown in FIGURE 4. The score impression 113 occurs in the exterior carton surface -and the score protrusion 114 occurs at the carton interior surface 70.

FIGURES through 9 illustrate a method for forming and the construction of a container formed from the blank of FIGURES l through 4.

FIGURE 5 represents a carton formed into a tube from the blank of FIGURE l. This carton includes a side seam 115 formed by joining the glue ap 22 to adjacent bottom, top and side panels.

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate the sequence for folding the bottom closure 5 of the container. During the sequence, the inner panels 32 and 36 are folded about their score lines 40 and 44 so to nest to the interior of the container with respect to the outer panels 30 and 34. To achieve the desired leak preventing joint in the bottom closure the free edges 62 and 64 of the triangular web panels 54 and 56 come together in abutting relationship. The accuracy of this abutting relationship occurs by scoring the diagonal scores as indicated above. In the crosssection View of FIGURE 7, it will be observed that the score line protuberances 72 serve to regulate or control the folding action of the inner panels so that the lopposed edges 62 and 64 may corne together in an abutting relationship.

FIGURES 8 and 9 illustrate the sequence of folding and closing the top closure of a container. The inner panels 78 and 80 are moved in -under the outer panels 74 and 76. The diagonal score lines 96 with protuberances 111 occurring to the exterior of the carton facilitate this folding action. In certain embodiments of the present invention it has been found possible to use a lighter caliber board for containers with top closure diagonal scores made in accordance with the present invention. The top closure is sealed by the application of heat and pressure to the upstanding fin panels and 92 as is well known in the art.

It should be understood that the present invention may be used equally as well in the container construction dened in Kuchenbecker Patent No. 3,097,574.

It will be observed that applicant has provided a new and improved milk container which improves the machinability of the carton in passing through a dairy forming, lling and sealing machine. In addition, the present invention provides a bottom closure with improved liquid-tight integrity.

I claim:

1. A thermoplastic coated paperboard container for liquids having a body portion and top and bottom closure portion-s, the body portion including four generally rectangular body panels and a glue flap connected by generally parallel Score lines, the bottom closure including a pair of outer closure panels connected to alternate body panels and two inner panels connected to the remaining alternate body panels, each of the inner panels having a pair of diagonal scores for folding the inner panels, and each of the diagonal scores being impressed from the interior surface of the container so to provide a protuberance at the external surface of the container.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the alternating outer and inner panels are connected to each other at adjacent edges by extensions of said generally parallel score lines.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein the top portion includes a pair of outer closure panels connected to alternate body panels and two inner panels connected to the remaining alternate body panels, each of the inner panels having a pair of diagonal scores for folding the inner panels, and each of the diagonal scores being impressed from the interior surface of the container and defining a protuberance at the external surface of the container.

4. A bottom closure for a thermoplastic coated paperboard container having four generally rectangular body panels connected by generally parallel score lines, the bottom closure comprising a pair of outer closure panels connected to alternate body panels and two inner panels connected to the remaining alternate body panels, each of the inner panels having a pair of diagonal scores for folding the inner panels, and each of the diagonal scores being impressed from the interior surface of the inner panels so to provide a protuberance at the external surface of the inner panels.

5. A thermoplastic coated paperboard container blank being suitably cut and creased to define a body portion and top and bottom closure portions, the body portion including four generally rectangular panels connected by generally parallel score lines, the bottom closure portion including a pair of outer closure panels connected to alternate body panels and two inner panels connected to the remaining alternate body panels, each of the inner panels having a pair of diagonal scores for folding the inner panels Within the outer panels, and each of the diagonal scores being impressed from the interior surface of the container blank so to provide a protuberance at the external surface of the container blank.

6. The container blank of claim 5 wherein the top portion includes a pair of outer closure panels connected to alternate body panels and two inner panels connected to the remaining alternate body panels, each of the inner panels having a pair of diagonal scores for folding the inner panels, and each of the diagonal scores being irnpressed from the interior surface of the container and dening a protuberance at the external surface of the container.

7. The container blank dened by claim S wherein each of the inner panels are connected at their side edges to adjacent side edges of the outer panels.

8. A thermoplastic coated paperboard container for packaging liquids having a body portion and top and bottom closure portions, the body portion including four generally rectangular panels and a glue ap connected by generally parallel score lines, the top closure including a pair of outer closure panels connected to alternate body panels and two inner panels connected to the remaining alternate body panels, each of the inner panels having a pair of diagonal scores for folding the inner panels, and each of the diagonal scores being impressed from the interior surface of the container so to provide a protuberance at the external surface of the container.

9. A top closure for a thermoplastic coated container having four generally rectangular panels and a glue flap connected by generally parallel score lines, the top closure comprising a pair of outer closure panels connected to alternate body panels and two inner panels connected by score lines to the remaining alternate body panels, each of the inner panels having a pair of diagonal scores for folding the inner panels, each of the diagonal scores being impressed from the interior surface of the inner panels so to provide a protuberance at the external surface of the inner panels.

1n. A thermoplastic coated paperboard container blank being suitably cut and creased to deiine a body portion, a top closure portion, and a bottom closure portion, the body portion having four generally rectangular panels connected by generally parallel crease lines, the top closure including a pair of outer closure panels connected to alternate body panels and a pair of inner closure panels connected to the remaining alternate body panels, each of the inner panels connected at their edges to adjacent outer panels, a glue iiap for connecting the free edge of one inner panel to the free edge of an adjacent outer panel, each of the inner panels having a pair of diagonal score lines for folding the inner panels into underlying relation with respect to the outer panels, and each of the diagonal scores being impressed from the interior surface of the container and dening a protuberance at the external surface ofthe container.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATIENTS 3,334,802 8/1967 Gooding 229-35 3,365,111 1/1968 McNair et al. 229--17 3,389,849 6/ 1968 Egleston 229--17 DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

Disclaimer 3,460,739.-Norman John Asman, Appleton, Wis. END CLOSURES FOR LIQ UID CONTAINER. Patent dated Aug. l2, 1969. Disclaimer filed Feb. 23, 1981, by the assignee, American Can Co. Hereby enters this disclaimer to all claims, 1 through 10 of said patent.

[Official Gazette June 23, 1981.] 

